Mon, Jun 29, 2009
Manufacturing Workers Still On Strike
Bell Helicopter announced Sunday it has reached a new contract
agreement with the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural
Implement Workers of America (UAW) Local 317, which represents 340
office and clerical workers at Bell facilities in Fort Worth,
Hurst, Arlington, Grand Prairie and Roanoke, Texas.
Members of UAW Local 317 ratified the three-year contract
earlier today with an 86% vote in favor of the new agreement.
Included in this contract is a healthcare package with three
options similar to the plan most other Bell and Textron employees
have.
“We worked hard to come up with a new contract that is
beneficial for our 317 members, our customers and our company. This
new contract will help us continue to improve our manufacturing
processes and enhance our ability to meet our customer needs now
and in the future,” said Dick Millman, Bell president and
CEO.
In a report in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the contract
includes a $3,500 ratification bonus and no increase in base wages
in 2009, but 3 percent raises in the following two years. The
ratification bonus is $1,000 less than Bell offered to the
manufacturing workers of UAW Local 218.
The contract also includes health benefits that are nearly
identical to the ones offered to the manufacturing union, and which
were cited as one of the principle reasons for the strike vote on
June 14th.
Negotiations with UAW Local 218, which represents manufacturing
workers for Bell Helicopter, remain unresolved. In a letter dated
June 26th sent to the union membership, Union Leadership said "Your
bargaining committee will reconvene on July 1st in an effort to
bargain a fair and equitable contract. In the mean time, please
continue to show the solidarity that you have always shown. We
appreciate the support you have given us."
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